Official: Form Panel To Fight Rate Hikes

But the small group that met at a Sunrise bank Wednesday found that Nader`s idea for Florida still was short on support and pushing a time limit.

``Nader believes the time has come for a citizens utility board in Florida,`` said Walter Dartland, the citizens board`s main organizer and a Dade County consumer advocate. ``It`s a long road, but we feel the idea has its best chance yet.``

Nader has been pushing for the creation of such boards throughout the country, with success in three states so far.

Dartland spoke to 11 leaders of condos and civic organizations to seek out a support group for the Florida Citizens Utility Board Act, which will be brought before the state Legislature next month.

The Citizens Utility Board would be made up of utility ratepayers who would represent customers at rate-setting proceedings, Dartland said. The concept for such boards was created by Nader nine years ago, Dartland said.